America's hungry are more than "street people" you see carrying torn trash bags bulging with aluminum cans or pushing shopping carts half filled with somebody's discarded clothing. This country's hungry are also the elderly... the working poor...single parent households... and children, so very many children.

Right here in Central Indiana approximately 213,081 Hoosiers live in poverty thoughout Gleaners' 20 county service area. Nearly half are seniors and children — that's over 79,144 Hoosier kids!

If you find those statistics troublesome, think about this...the food to keep our neighbors fed is available. Unfortunately, a huge quantity of that food is being thrown in the trash... wasted ... unavailable to the hungry who need it most!

That's why Gleaners exists...to divert food to the tables of hungry Hoosier families and stop the waste of food that's so important to health and well being.

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana was founded in 1980 by a group of concerned religious, human service, and nutrition-conscious people dedicated to alleviating hunger in Indiana. Gleaners' mission is to help charities feed people in need.

By soliciting food from manufacturers like Frito-Lay and Quaker, distributors such as Kraft, and retailers like Kroger and Marsh, Gleaners becomes a valuable link in the food chain... providing them an opportunity to donate, and reach nearly 400 Central Indiana charities and seven other Indiana Food Banks in the America's Second Harvest Network.

Since Gleaners opened, more than 215 million pounds of food have traveled that chain...215 million pounds of food that could have gone to waste but instead reached the hungry. As the public learns more about Gleaners, their gifts of food, time and money enable the food bank to secure more food and critical grocery items for those in need.

Food is available and food banks across the nation know how to get it to the hungry. It does cost money. Like any business, Gleaners has operating expenses. While the food bank is a lean operation, monies for staff, transportation, equipment, inventory control, utilities and insurance are still required. That's why volunteers and donors are such important partners in this work!

Your help is needed as long as people are hungry. Gleaners strives to be a good steward of your time, talents and treasures. To find out how you can help in the fight against hunger, contact the food bank.